MONROE, CT — A 24-year-old Monroe woman reported a scam, in which a caller posing as a Monroe police officer tried to get her to pay him $150 via Apple Cash to “freeze warrants” against her, according to a complaint made Saturday afternoon.
In response to similar complaints, the Monroe Police Department issued a scam alert on its Facebook page to prevent residents from falling for it.
In a separate incident reported on May 15, a criminal spoofed the Monroe Police Department’s phone number to mask where the call from coming from. This also occurred on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Monroe woman Googled the phone number on her caller ID, which initially made her trust that it was from local police.
The “officer” said he held two warrants for her arrest for allegedly missing grand jury duty. However, when he asked for payment with Apple Cash, she immediately realized it was a scam and ended the phone call, according to police.
Police said the caller knew the complainant’s birthday, home address and Social Security number, so she was advised to monitor her bank accounts for fraudulent activity and to flag all of her financial accounts with the three major credit bureaus.
The following is the Facebook post police issued about the scam:
In recent days we’ve received multiple calls pertaining to a person claiming to be a Monroe Police Officer. The phone number on the caller ID is our department number. The caller tries to convince you that you’ve been a victim of fraud. They then try to solicit personal information or funds (typically by gift card) from you in order to “fix” the situation.
These calls are fake and the phone number on your caller ID has been “spoofed” using software. If you receive a call like this, hang up. If you are uncertain, call us at 203-452-2830 or 203-261-3622. Our dispatcher will be able to tell you if an actual Monroe Police Officer is trying to contact you.
Victim finds stolen vehicles
The owner of Eastern Land Management, a Norwalk based business with offices in Monroe, recently reported the theft of a utility trailer and a skid steer from his Norwalk headquarters.
On May 13, he was driving to work when he noticed the stolen vehicles at a residence on Elm Street in Monroe, according to police.
The trailer in the front yard had numerous custom welding modifications he personally fabricated on it, making it highly unlikely it was any other trailer, police said.
He also observed two metal skid steer buckets matching the buckets stolen along with the skid steer in Norwalk.
When he stopped to speak to the homeowner, he walked in the driveway and noticed the stolen skid steer too, according to the report.
“The homeowner agreed to allow us onto the property,” Monroe Police Lt. Kevin McKellick said Monday. “We located the VIN number on the trailer and it matched the one stolen out of Norwalk. We also located the VIN number on the skid steer and it matched the one in Norwalk.”
Both vehicles were seized and impounded at the Monroe Police Department. Norwalk police were notified that the vehicles were recovered.
Monroe police are continuing to investigate the case.
Memorial Day Parade Traffic Advisory
The roads surrounding the town’s Memorial Day Parade Route will be closed to traffic in both directions, between the green at the corner of Fan Hill Road and the intersection of Route 111 and Elm Street, at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, May 25.
All side streets and shopping plazas will also be blocked, preventing vehicles from entering onto the parade route.
“Please plan your activities in advance to avoid getting stuck on the day of the parade,” the Monroe Police Department said in a traffic advisory.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m., when the procession moves from the Monroe Turnpike/Elm Street intersection, north up Route 111 to the green.
Cooking oil thieves
An employee of Mr. Mac’s Canteen, 838 Main St., reported seeing two men stealing used cooking oil from a vat behind the restaurant, before leaving in a yellow, Penske rental truck Saturday morning.
The complaint was made around 8:33 a.m., but by the time officers arrived, the men were gone, heading toward Newtown. Monroe police notified the Newtown Police Department, whose officers could not find the truck, according to the report.
The business is uncertain about the amount of cooking oil taken or the value. Monroe police are continuing to investigate the matter.
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